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You may not have heard of Physiokey or SCENAR therapy yet, although you may find it suits your individual needs as a viable alternative to other more traditional methods.

Simply put, Physiokey or SCENARtherapy is a technology driven way to help patients with pain relief by stimulating sensory nerves to induce a release of the body’s own powerful pain relief mechanisms. It works to locates key treatment points and delivers targeted treatment for optimal pain relief.Anon-invasive method and 100% drug free.

To date, we have had some great results with this technology, in particular with improvingclients range of motion, discomfort including muscular tension, swelling, numbness, fatigue and pain. It is also a great method to try if you find your progress stalling with other treatment options as it works in a different way by looking to reset our bodies pathways which may be now set in a stubborn, learned pattern.

How does it work?

Physiokey / SCENAR works by using a small hand held tool that uses electrical impulses to stimulateyour nervous system via your skin, the largest organ in our bodies. There are a lot of nerves in this area of our body and this technology when placed on your skin measures in real time what the skinsresistance is via the stimulation of trigger and acupuncture points on the skin’s surface, which in turn is a measure of how your nervous system is acting.

It is essentially a two-way conversation between the device and your body. It shows us where the deficits are in the area of the body we are working on, and the body itself produces a response in that area to help accelerate the healing process by promoting circulation, reactivating healing pathways and restoring balance to the body.

It can be especially beneficial for clients who have experienced pain or limited movement for a long time – the body can get stuck or get used to the signal from that body part so the body thinks it is normal. This device shows the body an exit off that pathway, promoting the right area and restoring communication and a better healing process.

What are main benefits?

Due to the way SCENAR therapy works it can be used to treat many different conditions. It works to help the body heal itself more effectively than the body is able to do unassisted.

In summary, Physiokey or Scenar therapy have been shown to produce the following results:

You can read more details and the technical terms associated with this technology on our website here, or you can view a YouTube video which Lorna Golombick worked on with Pinc and Steel, a cancer rehabilitation program.

At Lime Therapy we have two staff who are fully trained in the Physiokey / SCENAR technique, Lorna Golombickand Louise Macgregor.

To make a booking or to find out more, simply call us on 3188 9308 or email reception@limetherapy.com.au

So how can a good diet can support your immunity? The recent cool change is a good reminder to consider how to boost your immunity and reduce your risk of colds and flus this winter. A whole food diet rich with antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals strengthens immune function, protects our cells from damage and promotes healing.

Fruit and vegetables are the most potent form of these valuable nutrients but only 7% of Australians eat the recommended 5 serves of veges and 50% eat 2 serves of fruit per day.

So what changes can you make to have a healthier winter this year? Focus on increasing your intake of the following foods to boost immunity and your health in general.

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT

Vitamins A, C & E are powerful anti-oxidants that are essential for immune function and work best in combination. To maximise nutrients choose a variety of brightly coloured fruit and veg and eat the skin where possible.

Carrot, spinach, sweet potato, pumpkin are high in beta-carotenes that are converted to Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is needed for healthy cells in the immune, digestive and respiratory systems and is essential for iron transport and thyroid function.

Wheatgerm, olive oil, seeds, nuts, oats and avocado contain vitamin E which has immune and anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic, onion, leeks and chives contain antibacterial and anti-viral compounds. Herbs and spices are also high in anti-oxidants and have immune boosting properties e.g. rosemary, turmeric and ginger.
Dose up now on fruit and veg to avoid reaching for the cold and flu meds later!

Where can you fit an extra serve in your day?

Nourishing comfort foods like soups and stews are a good opportunity to add extra veges in the cooler weather and great for lunches or leftovers

Tomato, spinach, avocado and mushroom go well with poached eggs for breakfast

Hummus, pesto, guacamole and tahini are good snack options full of nutrients and flavour

OILY FISH

Aim for 2-3 serves per week of salmon, sardines, mackerel or tuna for the immune boosting benefits of omega 3s (good fats) and vitamin D. Omega 3’s are needed to form immune cells and also reduce inflammation in the body. If you don’t eat fish regularly a supplement is recommended.

Vitamin D is also important for bone and muscle strength and associated with reduced risk of cancer, diabetes, allergy and other auto-immune conditions. Approx 15% of Queenslanders are vitamin D deficient (up to 50% in southern states in winter). Safe sun exposure is recommended to maintain levels but if you avoid the sun or are over 60 a supplement may be required.

PROTEIN

Adequate protein is essential for production of the anti-bodies produced by the immune system to destroy bacteria and viruses. High protein foods such as red meat, liver, kidney and oysters also have the highest content of the immune promoting minerals zinc and iron. Other types of meat including fish, legumes, egg and dairy are lower in these minerals but a re still excellent sources of protein.

Over 50% of men over 50 years old and about 10% of women are zinc deficient. Zinc promotes healing and may reduce the duration of cold symptoms. It is also important for prostate function. In addition to red meat, zinc is also found in pumpkin and sunflowers seeds, chia, cashews and quinoa.

FERMENTED FOODS

The healthy bacteria in in our digestive tract are a vital part of the immune defence system. If the bacteria is out of balance we are at increased risk of illness. Probiotics can boost this good bacteria. In fact, taking a probiotic supplement has been shown to reduce the frequency of colds and gut infections by 40%. Natural probiotic sources include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, miso and tempeh.

Eating a good range of fruit and vegetables provide the nutrients the good bacteria need to flourish and establish in our gut.

SAFETY WITH SUPPLEMENTS

While increasing natural food intake of nutrients is safe and highly recommended, caution is advised with supplements.

Vitamin A supplements should be avoided in pregnancy due to a risk of birth defects

Not all supplements are equal.

Cheaper formulations are often in forms that are poorly absorbed (which can cause digestive upset) or in doses that are too low to have an impact.

Some minerals compete for uptake and other nutrients can interact with each other or prescription medications – the contraceptive pill, aspirin, blood pressure and reflux medications are some examples that can cause nutrient deficiencies.

If you would like more advice on how to boost your immunity this winter or a general diet check-up, book an appointment with our nutrition counsellor and dietitian, Wendy.

The benefits of Restorative Yoga are many and it is interesting to note that rates of complementary and alternative medicine usage in women with breast cancer are high (70%–80%).

Mind-body therapies, are defined by the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine as “interventions designed to facilitate the mind’s capacity to affect bodily functions and symptoms.” Meditation, imagery, and yoga are the most commonly used mind-body therapies. Evidence is strong that mind-body therapies improve mood, quality of life, treatment-related side effects and sleep in cancer patients.

Reports of yoga for patients with cancer suggest both physical and psychological benefits. Significant improvements have been seen for fatigue, depression and improved health-related quality of life.